Japan PM Takaichi vows not to dismiss education minister over affair with woman
The Straits Times
Accounts of the affair were published online by weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun. Read more at straitstimes.com.
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said March 12 that she will not dismiss education minister Yohei Matsumoto despite reports that he had an affair with a married woman.
“I would like him to repay us through work,” she said during a House of Representatives budget committee session, adding, “I hope he fulfills his duties to the utmost.”
If Mr Matsumoto, 52, had been replaced, he would have become the first Cabinet member to step down since Ms Takaichi took office in October.
Mr Matsumoto apologised and expressed remorse for his actions, but said he would not resign, after accounts of the affair were published online by weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun.
“It was in the past. I was reprimanded by my wife and apologised,” he said during the session, adding the issue “has already been resolved within the family”. KYODO NEWS
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